MacGregorSailors.com

Just bought 4 new buddies for $31 free post (ebay) but can't help with the bearings sorry.

This is a common problem where the hub machine tolerance is out
The engineering solution is go around the area where the bearing buddy sits with a centre punch and put a few pop marks there

Will fix the problem and allow you to remove the hub if needed
This fix is also used if bearing cone is not tight

Allan

Thats a damn sight better idea than replacing the hub, another good one for this site.

Yea that's a great idea, now your buddy will stay in but the warmed up grease will ooze out all over your wheel because of the gapping around all the little raised pock marks you hammered into the buddy surface.

If you do it right and are using the right grease that is not a problem

Allan

I lost one bearing buddy last year. It was a brand new unit on a brand new hub on a brand new axle. I didn't notice it was missing until several days after launching the boat for the season. I attributed it to backing the trailer in too close to the dock and wiping it off on a piling. Maybe not.

I had trouble with my walking out, I eventually switched to a centre lubed axle with built in zerk fitting

raycarlson wrote:spend the 30 bucks and get a new hub, yours has been oversized from repeated removal/install of bearing buddy, there's a finite number of times you can remove them before the inside diameter gets to big. your hub is heating up faster then the buddy is allowing it to fall out, however seems tight when everything is cold.

I think you hit the nail on the head!

Where can I get a replacement hub and what do I ask for?

Did Mac use Chevy or Ford hubs or are these special trailer hubs?

I've never had to buy one and when I visit the auto parts store they don't have MacGregor Trailer on their cross reference list.

It's a UFP part.

http://www.ufpnet.com/Axles/tabid/55/Default.aspx

I dont think UFP was a supplier on Mac 26D's. I thought it wasn't until about 2006 that UFP started providing trailer components for the 26M only. Regular bearing buddies and generic hubs will probably be what he needs on his "D".

I replaced all my hubs, my mechanic replaced the bearings and installed bearing buddies. two of which went missing on their first trip. My mechanic says that this is common and that he does not recommend using them. I have lost about 6 in the last two years. Dissimilar metals and expansion rates I feel are the cause.

Get a new mechanic, he did something wrong at installation, It is NOT common to loose bearing buddies if installed correctly.I've never lost one in almost 30years of having them..

The side where the bearing buddy keeps falling out did overheat when I was on the freeway one time due to an improper brake shoe adjustment. (too tight) So it does make sense that this is happening to the drum which got really hot and probably is out of tolerance at this point.

New hub ordered and should be here any day!

Hello,
I have found that not all bearing buddies are made to the same tolerance. Having them chrome plated so they are slippery doesn't help either. Knurling the outer mating surface will cure it. I've also put it in the lathe and cut small grooves in the surface so it has some grip. I've not tried it but you may be able to heat and quench the outer edge.If you plan to replace the hub it might be worth a try.